My Story-II

My Story –II

It was the same place ( Bangalore ) in South India ,where we lived during my early childhood. As My father was in Defense service and posted there . I remember, we were living in a private colony on the out skirts of the city. I was usually a very calm and non fussy child . I used to be very cooperative and enjoyed playing ,with my friends or some times all alone .I used to share my things with my friends .I never was demanding ,remained most of the time contented with what I have with me. I remember ,I had a nice relationship with all. But, I would take up strong position if someone would try to bully.
One day I was playing with my one friend , one boy who was not my friend came and started playing with our toys. I did not mind his playing with our toys, and so did my friend do. We enjoyed for a while. The new boy then left for home. Later he returned back to us .He was boasting of newly acquired musical toy “ Dammru” (made of clay and Paper ) . First we did not care about his toy. How ever one part our mind we were feeling envy about the boy . After some time he started to bargain. He asked my friend to exchange some of his toy. At first my friend was not interested in the offer. But he started making some sound on the dammru ‘Dag-Dag-Dag…….’ ,by flip flopping it . It looked very interesting to both of us. My friend agreed on the deal both of them just exchanged the toys. My friend was very happy and satisfied that he could play with the new toy for free.
After playing for a while my friend was satisfied. We discussed the new toy. We were very happy to share a new toy ,infact we had a secret urge to have the toy . We were also look out for a chance to touch the toy with our own hands . I was also amused by the musical beats of the toy. I thought it was a nice toy to play with. We just continued with this activity. Then the new boy returned to his home leaving behind the “Dammru” with us and taking with him the toy of my friend which he had exchanged with my friend. We were happy to have the toy .Actually we were happy because this toy was denied by our parents ,on the pretext that it is of no use and will break off very soon as it was made up of mud clay and paper. We were thinking how lucky that chap was, that his parents were so kind and generous to buy him the cool toy.
After a good 10 -20mts. We were shocked to see the boy coming back to us with a different mood. He was very rash and agitated . He threw the toy of my friend on to him and demanded back his toy. Which incidentally was
in my hands now. I was playing with it for a while. I was not yet contented by it and needed some more moments of joy . I had liked it . I loved to play with it for some more time before I returned back home. This sudden change of situation made me sad .I protested and refuse to part with it . The boy became a bit impatient and charged on me like a pouncing monkey. In this process I fell down, so did the toy which I was holding and refused to give him back. It turned to be a wrestling ring for all three kids. After a good struggle I overpowered him I said I will give this to my friend only. It will be his will to return the toy to the new boy or not. The boy again tried to snatch the toy from me. In the struggle the toy broke . The boy started to cry loudly and making fuss .He started to abuse me and ran to his home. He complained the matter to his parents .
After all the development taking place, the playing arena had now hotted up , things took a ugly turn. The ‘Big powers’ were to enter the war of kids. We saw the crying kid accompanying his Mother who was in turn shouting and abusing us like a Big Military General marching towards the battle field with battle cries. We did not expect the thing will turn that bad . We were surprised at the sight of boy and his mother at our playing place. She rushed first towards my friend and pounced at him ,she pulled up his ears, slapped him and asked as to why he broke the toy. My friend was like a trapped helpless rabbit, unable to speak any thing or free himself . Her hand were like clutches of prison guard . He just shouted in pain and started to cry and said he did not do any thing, it was “He” who has done it , pointing at me. I was terrified by the scene and had no option but to run away from the place leaving behind my friend and the toys at the mercy at the anguished lady. My escape from the place angered the lady most and she started to shout at top of her voice at me ,making the other street women come out to see what had happened and threatened to complaint to my parents.
I was in a state of shock and terrified. What will happen now? I was wondering about me. My father was very strict in these matters and he never tolerated any complaint against us from out side. I was so frightened that ,I decided not to return to my home I then tried to hide my self some where else till the atmosphere cools down. Though I do not remember where I went for some time in the same vicinity. But after hiding in some secluded place I found a very apt place to hide. It was a staircase of some house from where I could see any one come from a distance in the street ,but the other person could not see me there.
Sitting there for some time , I was fearing that my parents will be searching for a while ,if caught, I will get sound thrashing . As time passed, I was afraid that it was now turning from noon to evening. My parents were now getting weary as to where I had gone. Probably the mother of the child had certainly complained about my unpleasant act. Though no one had given me any opportunity to explain as to what had actually happened to the toy. I saw my brother along with his friend and my friend who’s toy the boy had exchanged coming at a distance . Of course the ‘detective team’ was in search of the “Absconder”. On seeing coming near the building I ducked down and saved from their view , they moved away from the sight.
After a hour or so, unfortunately thing just changed for me. A lady came and found me hiding there ,she started enquiring about me . I started crying on seeing strangers all around me. My thought and wisdom started to betray me. I was shivering with fear of beating from my parents. The Lady was a nice at heart. She took me in her lap and caressed with love. I told her the things that happened . She offered me to take me to my home. She even promised me that no harm will be done to me. I was given some candy by her. I agreed to accompany her to my home.
We when reached our home ,there were tense moments for my parents. On seeing me, my elder brother plunged and caught hold of me and gave a sound thrashing.obviously he was also made to suffer the hardship of the search and combing operation like a security officer tracing the whereabouts of a 'proclaimed offender' . I was stunned at that . I could gauge the tense and uneasiness of all my family members. My family was so much disturbed at my sudden disappearance from the place that they were thinking of some thing worse might had happened. How ever the lady accompanying me tried to pacify my mother and father. She had some argument with them and this probably diluted the anger of my parents. My mother asked me what had happened . I related the whole story to her . I emphasized that it was not my fault ,and it all happened accidentally. I never intended to do that. It was not my nature, my family knew it very well. I later came to know that the lady which took me home was in fact wife of my fathers friend who was working with him. She became my favorite aunt later on.
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